Archive for the 'Ray Lamontagne' Tag Under 'Soundcheck' Category

March 13th, 2010, 11:32 am by KELLI SKYE FADROSKI, THE ORANGE COUNTY REGISTER

Zac Brown Band fans were looking to have a good time Friday night at Gibson Amphitheatre -- and they got it in abundance.

As die-hards clad in cowboy hats and Western wear poured into the CityWalk pre-show, things were already getting rowdy at a few of the bars; even walking up to the venue, you could heard people excitedly belting out slurred versions of the group's award-winning single “Chicken Fried.”

It was one of those rare nights when the anticipation of a performance was palpable. Fans met up with other fans, talked about their favorite ZBB tracks, laughed and burst into impromptu no-music karaoke sessions (fueled by liquid courage) while high-fiving each other and raiding the swag tables.

ZBB is all about putting out fun vibes -- it's obvious in the way the country jam band operates on stage, with fury and passion. Even slower songs like “Free” didn't forsake that fire. Kicking off with “Whatever It Is,” off the group's Grammy-nominated debut The Foundation, Brown and his band captivated the crowd -- couples danced and roaring singalongs almost drowned out the group.

The evening was filled with lengthy -- sometimes too long -- jam sessions, some well received others serving merely as an opportunity to grab more beer. A few covers didn't go over so well, either: a rendition of the Beatles' “Blackbird,” for instance, fell flat. The Charlie Daniels Band's signature tune “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” was a much better fit, as was the Band's “The Night They Drove Old Dixie Down” and a version of Ray LaMontagne's “Jolene.” Other highlights were the father-to-son song “Highway 20 Ride”; the true-life story that spawned some animal cruelty flare-ups, “Sic 'Em on a Chicken”; and, of course, the groups mega-hit, “Chicken Fried.”

Gibson Amphitheatre and the Greek Theatre revealed the rosters for their Premier Marquee Club, the venues' annual joint subscriber series, and as usual it's loaded up with rare encounters along with plenty of old reliables.

Which offerings are the most tantalizing depends on what sort of concert-goer you are -- the entire list of shows can be viewed at the end of this post -- but many that stand out immediately are several headed to the Greek, including:

Spanish tenor Jose Carreras' first appearance at the amphitheater in 15 years, with full orchestra, June 26

Two weeks ago, a passionate, folk-infused new British quartet with a Dickensian moniker and an unforeseen O.C. connection made a striking impression in its first headlining show in North America. And at an auspicious location as well: the Troubadour in West Hollywood, hallowed ground for burgeoning English rock stars from Elton John to Thom Yorke.

Mumford & Sons, clad in vested dandy-highwaymen gear similar to the duds they sport on the quaint cover of their rich debut disc Sigh No More, won over much of the room merely by stepping on stage. That's just how it goes in L.A. when a fresh U.K. sensation hits town – the ex-pats and Anglophiles hurriedly snatch up every ticket, in the hopes of catching what may be the only truly small show a new Brit band plays stateside. Most, after all, either move on to bigger things … or they don't come back very often.

This gig had buzz, though, the sort that attracts celebs. Jake Gyllenhaal nabbed a prominent spot in the VIP balcony so he could quietly savor every moment. Outside, just before the group's set, frontman Marcus Mumford (above, far right) ran across Benicio del Toro.

They have good taste, as this was a remarkable performance indeed, magnetic in its focused intensity, the sort you get from Ray LaMontagne or David Gray (or, going back further, early U2), and steeped in soul-stirring choruses and beguiling harmonies. This is hardly run-of-the-mill Britpop, and it's gratefully devoid of obvious posing and we-will-conquer-all arrogance. It's earnest in the best way, with infectious ebullience to match its fiery side, and musicianship well ahead of fashion.

My lame stab at a comparison for record geeks would be to cross the foot-stompin', banjo-pickin' Avett Brothers with the Waterboys of Fisherman's Blues, while Fleet Foxes (or the ghosts of the younger Crosby, Stills & Nash) handle heavenly backing vocals. Then add a lead singer whose menace-laced voice, telling tales of hard-bitten men typically in search of redemption, reminds of no one as much as Dave Matthews at his most dramatic. Incongruous as this seems, give these lads a shot opening for Dave and they really might crack America – probably go gold before long.

• Wolfmother -- The Aussie outfit's rightly acclaimed sophomore album, Cosmic Egg, took four years to arrive and owes a significant debt to Black Sabbath (among other obvious influences), yet it more than holds its own in a year crowded with potential heavy-rock neo-classics. The group, fronted by curly-maned spitfire singer-guitarist Andrew Stockdale (left), headlines Tuesday at the Wiltern, 3790 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. Heartless Bastards and Thenewno2 (aka Dhani Harrison) will open. Tickets are $25. Also at the Wiltern this week: sterling soul man Raphael Saadiq, tonight, $15-$35 …and Hollywood Undead and Atreyu with Escape the Fate, Saturday, $28.50. 714-740-2000. livenation.com

• KISS -- Ace Frehley and Peter Criss have fallen away yet again, replaced once more by Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer, respectively. But only sour sergeants in the KISS Army would care –- Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons, the band's nucleus, are still front and center, and once the hits and fireworks start blowing up, it could be just about anybody behind all that kabuki-glam makeup. The group's Alive 35 Tour (read all about it in our interview with Paul Stanley), celebrating both its 35th anniversary and the release of Sonic Boom, its first album of new material in 11 years, makes three Southern California stops: Tuesday at Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, $31.30-$145.80 … Wednesday at Staples Center, 1111 S. Figueroa St., Los Angeles, $19.50-$126 … and Nov. 27 at San Diego Sports Arena, 3500 Sports Arena Blvd., $15.50-$126. Buckcherry opens all shows. 714-740-2000. ticketmaster.com

• Ray LaMontagne -- After impressing in his orchestra-backed Hollywood Bowl debut earlier this year, the increasingly admired Maine-based singer-songwriter, still earning kudos for his third album Gossip in the Grain, returns for three solo acoustic shows, tonight through Sunday, at the Orpheum Theatre, 842 S. Broadway, in downtown Los Angeles. Tickets are $39.50-$49.50. 714-740-2000. ticketmaster.com

• Kem -- Another season brings another visit from the Detroit soul star, even though he hasn't put out any new music in four years. He performs Saturday night at the Grove of Anaheim, 2200 E. Katella Ave. Tickets are $50-$60. Also at the venue this weekend: '70s pop favorite Three Dog Night, tonight, $40-$55 … and sax man Kenny G., Sunday, $45-$75. 714-712-2700. thegroveofanaheim.com

• Thrice -- Having taken significant strides forward with its strongly redefining sixth album Beggars, the Orange-based band, fronted by Dustin Kensrue (right), returns home to end its first tour supporting the disc with three local shows: Monday at Avalon, 1735 Vine St., Hollywood $21 … and Tuesday-Wednesday at House of Blues Anaheim, 1530 S. Disneyland Drive, $18.50. The Dear Hunter opens all dates. Also at the Mouse House this week: reggae act Iration with Tomorrow's Bad Seeds, the B Foundation and Pacific Dub, tonight, $15.50 … Wizards of Waverly Place star Selena Gomez with Allstar, Saturday at 2 p.m., $22.50 … Austin duo Ghostland Observatory (and their kickass light show) with Speaker Junkies, Saturday at 8 p.m., $22.50 … the Joe Perry Project (now that Aerosmith is once again off the road and fractious), with Silent Treatment, Monday, $35 … and the BET 106 & Park Tour featuring Mario with Pretty Ricky and Mishon, Thursday, $37.50. 714-740-2000. 714-778-BLUE. hob.com, ticketmaster.com

He was such a smash in Vegas -- and such a pledge-earning, ratings-driving special for PBS -- that illustrious producer and songwriter David Foster is taking his show on the road.

The 15-time Grammy winner, who most recently helmed new discs from Seal and Michael Bublé, will bring his David Foster and Friends production to 10 cities, including Los Angeles on Nov. 5, when it will headline at Gibson Amphitheatre.

Slated to take part are Earth, Wind & Fire vocalist Philip Bailey, Oprah discovery Charice, Deborah Cox, American Idol finalist Michael Johns and the Canadian Tenors. Plus, each stop will feature surprise performers -- and seeing as so many of his industry pals live out here, there's no telling which heavyweights might turn up. (I'd put big money on Josh Groban.) Tickets go on sale Friday, Aug. 28, at 1 p.m.

Also at Gibson: comedian Kathy Griffin, Nov. 27, on sale Saturday at 1 p.m. Both that and the Foster show will be on sale exclusively through LiveNation.com, which also extends its No Service Fee Wednesday promotion this week with $10 all-in lawn tickets and $15 all-in for select reserved seats at its various venues (Verizon, Gibson ... there are even $10 tickets available for many Mouse House shows). Act fast, the special only applies this Wednesday.

Speaking of comedy: Shaquille O'Neal's next All-Star Comedy Jam is set for Oct. 2 at Club Nokia. Expected to perform are D.L. Hughley, LaVell Crawford and David Raibon. Tickets, $35-$45, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. Also at the L.A. Live hotspot: Sean Kingston with Flo Rida and New Boyz, Oct. 13, $35-$45, on sale Saturday at 10 a.m.

That's where those three legends will perform next week -- at Lake Elsinore Diamond Stadium, on Aug. 12, to be exact. According to Ticketmaster, the gig (billed under the banner "The Bob Dylan Show") went on sale last Saturday. Price: $67.50.

That's where Dylan will perform for the first time in ... uh ... um ... a little help here? Ever? Anyone? Anyway, Ye Olde Bard, minus the former Johnny Cougar and Weedhead Willie, will play three nights there, Oct. 13-15. Those tickets go on sale Aug. 14.

Also coming to the Palladium: critically acclaimed New York band Brand New, which issues its fourth album (Daisy) on Sept. 22, will headline the landmark venue on Oct. 17, with Manchester Orchestra opening, on sale Monday, Aug. 10, at 1 p.m. ... and Metalocalypse band Dethlok, about to drop Dethlok: The Dethalbum II on Sept. 8, has teamed with one of the year's most talked-about metal groups, Mastodon, to play the Palladium on Nov. 19, on sale Friday at 10 a.m. All Palladium shows are on sale exclusively through LiveNation.com.

In the nicest, subtlest way he could muster, Ray LaMontagne ripped hearts to shreds Sunday night at the Hollywood Bowl.

Accompanied by the venue's orchestra, led by David Campbell (father of Beck), Ray stood a little off to the right and faced left throughout his 90-minute set -- hardly smiling, never conversing and keeping his eyes closed most of the time. With most other artists, this would have amounted to a painstakingly obvious disconnect. With Ray, it only added to the mystique.

Mysterious is an understatement, actually; the bearded LaMontagne is downright alien. Soft lullabies like "Hold You in My Arms" and "Let It Be Me" are nothing if not ethereal even on record. Add to that a warm Southern California night in July and a lovely, seasoned arrangement, and you've got yourself an out-of-this-world experience.

Much of the appeal of a singer-songwriter like LaMontagne, who currently resides in Norman Mailer's former house in Maine, isn't the way he can break hearts, though -- any crafty tunesmith can do that, really.

Rather, it's the way he can mend them, how he can go from the tortured, poetic verses of "Winter Birds" to the soulful, playful "Hey Me Hey Mama" -- and then follow that with "You Can Bring Me Flowers," a supremely sad song that emanated blues, with staggered drum beats by Jay Bellerose punctuating bittersweet trumpets.